HOUSTON – The NFL has suspended Texans defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. for four games for a violation of the NFL substance-abuse policy, a punishment that comes on the same day that veteran defensive lineman Denico Autry was officially reinstated from a six-game suspension for a performance-enhancing drug policy.
Now, Autry will replace his replacement in the starting lineup. He will be activated this week and begin practicing in advance of playing Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Signed to a two-year, $20 million deal in the offseason, Autry recorded 11 1/2 sacks last season for the Tennessee Titans. The Texans also officially signed cornerback Gregory Junior to the practice squad and released tight end Chris Myarick from the practice squad.
Autry has completed his entire six-game suspension for a violation of the NFL performance-enhancing drug policy.
Autry has been working out at the Texans’ training facility and is healthy and in shape, per league sources. His suspension term ended Monday.
“He’s ready to go,” a source said.
Having Autry back further bolsters an already strong defense that includes Pro Bowl pass rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. Edwards played well as the starter during Autry’s absence, recovering a fumble with eight tackles and one quarterback hit against the New England Patriots on Sunday in a 41-21 win at Gillette Stadium.
“With Denico coming off the suspension, he’ll fit right in very smoothly,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday. “He understands how we play, our style to play, Denico has been a productive pass rusher in his league for a long time, he had over 10 sacks last year. S I’m expecting him to just pick up where he left off and come in being disruptive, playing the way he plays. He plays hard, he plays relentless, and he fits right in with our group.”
Autry, 34, had 50 tackles and 11 1/2 sacks, two forced fumbles and four passes defensed last season for the Titans.
He signed a three-year, $21.5 million with the Titans in 2021. He was previously with the Indianapolis Colts and signed a three-year, $17.8 million in 2018.
Autry (6-foot-5, 285 pounds) has also played for the Las Vegas Raiders. He has recorded 310 career tackles, 59 sacks, seven forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries and 31 passes defensed.
Autry issued a statement through his agent, Rodney Edwards, at the time of his suspension saying he mistakenly took a banned substance. He has legal counsel representing him in this matter.
Autry’s suspension began after the preseason.
Photo: Alex Slitz / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
“Over the course of my ten-year NFL career, I have never engaged in the use of performance enhancing drugs,” Autry said in a statement. “Over that period, I have been subject to countless tests, none of which have ever returned a positive result. I was, therefore, stunned this offseason when I learned that one of my tests returned a positive result. I immediately investigated the matter and discovered that a pharmacy to which my doctors submitted a prescription for a different medication, had, whether intentionally, recklessly, or negligently, included a banned substance. I want to be clear, at no time did I know or even suspect that this medication contained a banned substance. Upon discovering the source of the positive test, I immediately retained legal counsel in connection with this matter. My counsel provided the NFL with information, including documentation from my doctors, establishing that I neither asked for nor was prescribed any banned substances.
“It was important to me that the NFL know that I did not intentionally or even knowingly ingest a banned substance. I understand, however, that under the NFL’s policies, ultimate responsibility for what enters my body rests with me. To that end, while I intend to explore legal options pertaining to the circumstances that resulted in my positive test, I have accepted the NFL’s punishment of a six-game suspension. I want to apologize to the Texans organization, my teammates, and the fans for any distraction this may cause. Finally, I want to assure our fans that my commitment to competing to the best of my ability has only grown and I look forward to returning to the field.”
Edwards is eligible for reinstatement after the Texans’ Week 10 game against the Detroit Lions.
Losing Edwards, 30, represents a blow to the Texans’ defense as he has started every game this season while defensive lineman Denico Autry served a six-game suspension for a performance-enhancing drug policy violation.
Edwards has played extremely well, recording 18 tackles, two sacks, two tackles for losses and five quarterback hits. For his career, he has 174 tackles, 30 tackles for losses, 23 1/2 sacks and 57 quarterback hits.
Edwards had eight tackles Sunday against the New England Patriots.
As the replacement for Autry, Edwards was counted on heavily to make up for his loss of productivity.
The Texans liked the way Edwards was playing.
“Mario has been disruptive all camp, and I wouldn’t have expected anything different from him,” Ryans said previously. “He showed up, playing on their side of the line of scrimmage and being disruptive. That’s what we need from all our guys up front. I’m very pleased what Mario did.”
With a reputation for his ability to line up on the edge of the defense or as an interior rusher, Edwards has been drawing strong reviews from the coaching staff.
When Edwards signed with the Texans, he had ambitions to start. Signed to a one-year, $2 million deal that includes a $200,000 signing bonus with $500,000 total guaranteed with a $1.21 million salary with $300,000 of it guaranteed for skill, injury and salary cap, plus another $350,000 available in playtime incentives.
Edwards, 30, played for the Seattle Seahawks last season. The Gautier, Mississippi native has also played for the New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans.
With the Titans in 2022, he had three sacks and 11 quarterback hits. He had a career-high four sacks in 2020 with the Bears.
Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.